Youssef Rajji

Youssef "Joe" Rajji (Arabic: يوسف رجّي; born 20 November 1962) is a Lebanese diplomat who has served as minister of foreign affairs and emigrants in the cabinet of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam since February 2025.^[1] He previously served as Lebanon's ambassador to Jordan from 2022 to 2025.^[2]

Youssef Rajji
يوسف رجّي
Rajji in 2025
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 February 2025
Prime Minister	Nawaf Salam
Preceded by	Abdallah Bou Habib
Ambassador of Lebanon to Jordan
In office 2022 – 8 February 2025
Preceded by	Tracy Chamoun
Succeeded by	Georges Fadel (acting)
Personal details
Born	(1962-11-20) 20 November 1962 (age 62) Beirut, Lebanon
Political party	Lebanese Forces
Alma mater	Saint Joseph University of Beirut (Masters) University of Paris (Diploma)
Profession	Diplomat

Early life and education

Rajji was born in Beirut on 20 November 1962. He holds a master's degree in Political and Administrative Sciences from Saint Joseph University of Beirut and a diploma in Media and Political Communication from the University of Paris.^[3] He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

Diplomatic career

Rajji joined Lebanon’s diplomatic service in 1992. Key assignments include:

• 1995–1999: Political affairs officer at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., focusing on U.S.-Lebanon relations.
• 1999–2002: Deputy head of mission at the Lebanese Embassy in Brussels, overseeing engagement with the European Union.
• 2004–2005: Deputy head of Lebanon’s permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
• 2005–2017: Senior roles at the Lebanese Embassy in Rabat, Morocco, including acting as chargé d'affaires during transitional periods.
• 2017–2022: Director of Inspection at Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing diplomatic protocol and compliance.
• 2022–2025: Ambassador to Jordan, where he mediated bilateral discussions on trade and refugee repatriation.^[4]

Foreign minister

Rajji was appointed foreign minister in February 2025 as part of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s technocratic cabinet, formed amid Lebanon’s ongoing political and economic crises. He was appointed by the Lebanese Forces party. ^[1] His appointment drew praise from international figures, including Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who called his leadership "critical for regional stability."^[5]

Political positions

Rajji has emphasized the need for Lebanon to maintain neutrality in regional conflicts and strengthen ties with Arab and European partners. He has also advocated for reforms to streamline consular services for the Lebanese diaspora.^[6]

See also

• Foreign relations of Lebanon
• Cabinet of Nawaf Salam
• List of ambassadors of Lebanon to Jordan